Corrosion of High-Density Sintered Tungsten Alloys. Part 2. Accelerated Corrosion Testing,

摘要

As a consequence of corrosion during long-term storage in uncontrolled environments, where high humidity may be combined with cyclic temperature changes, some high-density sintered tungsten penetrators have been found to be unreliable. A storage life of twenty years without special storage conditions is a requirement for this ammunition, and therefore there is a need to determine the long-term storage capability of selected alloys. The corrosion behavior of four candidate alloys has been evaluated and compared with that of pure tungsten. Rates of corrosion during the Cyclic Humidity Test and the Salt Mist Test were ascertained from weight loss measurements. Insight into the corrosion mechanism was gained from the nature of the corrosion products and an examination of the corroded surfaces. The data showed that copper as an alloying element accelerates corrosion of tungsten alloys. Both attack on the tungsten particles and the binder phase were observed together with tungsten grain loss. Keywords: Corrosion resistant alloys; Corrosion. (kt)